Thursday 26 November 2009

WELCOME FOR STRONGER CLIMATE CHANGE FOCUS FOR WATER INDUSTRY

Climate change campaigners today welcomed moves to ensure Scotland's water industry contributes more to the country's world leading greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) is pleased that the Scottish Government and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland have moved to make climate change a higher priority in Scottish Water's objectives and investment plan.

This follows criticism from SCCS and pressure from members of the Scottish Parliament's Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee.

Mike Robinson, Chair of the SCCS coalition, said: "We strongly welcome the fact that climate change objectives for Scottish Water have now been moved from priority two to priority one, as priority two objectives were unlikely to be funded.

"At this crucial time in tackling global warming, it is important that public bodies such as Scottish Water help lead the way in protecting the planet and contributing to the important Scottish targets of reducing emissions by 42% by 2020 and 80% by 2050."

Dave Watson, Scottish Organiser, UNISON, said: "As one of the biggest electricity consumers, Scottish Water has the potential to make huge savings in energy costs.

"Work on tackling leaks will help reduce electricity consumption and was already properly being prioritised, but it is right that Scottish Water's objectives now reflect the new climate change duties on public bodies which will come into force in January 2011.

"All public bodies should be looking now at how they will ensure they comply with the new duties."

Lloyd Austin, Head of Policy at RSPB Scotland, said: "We are pleased that today's Final Determination from the Water Industry Commission for Scotland has taken account of concerns raised by SCCS and others and now has a stronger focus on the importance of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures."

ENDS

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